Roy M. Wheat
Roy Mitchell Wheat | |
|---|---|
1st Marine Division | |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Roy Mitchell Wheat (July 24, 1947 – August 11, 1967) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Biography
Wheat was born on July 24, 1947, in Moselle, Mississippi. He attended public schools in Ellisville, Mississippi, but dropped out in 1965 after two years of high school.[1]
In September 1966, he enlisted in the
Wheat arrived in
On August 11, 1967, Wheat and two other Marines were assigned to provide security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in
Awards and decorations
Wheat was buried at Eastabuchie Cemetery in Eastabuchie, Mississippi.[3] His name can be found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 24E, Row 101.
In 2003, the U.S. Navy named its newest
Wheat's military decorations include the Medal of Honor, the
|
|
  |
|
  |
|
|
|
| Medal of Honor | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
|
Purple Heart with gold star | National Defense Service Medal |
| Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze star | Vietnam Military Merit Medal
|
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
|
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.[2]
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ a b c d e "LANCE CORPORAL ROY MITCHELL WHEAT, USMC (DECEASED)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. United States Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor Recipients – Vietnam (M–Z)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. December 3, 2010. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
- ^ Graham, Charlotte (May 8, 2011). "Honoring a real war hero". Laurel Leader-Call. Laurel, Mississippi. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011.
- ^ "Navy Names Newest USNS Ship for Medal of Honor recipient", News Release NNS031003-23, U.S. Department of Defense, 10/3/2003.